Pride still matters in 3-1 win over Boston

Sunday

PHILADELPHIA — It was Fan Appreciation Day and the Flyers finally gave their faithful something to appreciate.

A surprising 3-1 win over Eastern Conference powerhouse Boston showed the Wells Fargo Center crowd on Saturday that the Flyers still have pride and aren’t writing off this season just yet.

The Flyers got early goals from Mike Knuble and Matt Read and goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov made them stand up as the team ended a four-game (0-2-2) losing streak, as well as a five-game losing streak against the Bruins.

Pending Saturday night’s results, the Flyers moved back to within four points of the eighth and final playoff spot.

“I think it was pretty imperative to finish it the right way,’’ said Knuble, mindful of the Flyers’ recent penchant for blowing third-period leads. “You’re running out of time, so you have to do it at some point.’’

Zac Rinaldo is one of those never-say-die types. He had 12 hits in 12 minutes. That’s playing with commitment.

“We were backing each other up,’’ Rinaldo said, mindful of Luke Schenn going after Zdeno Chara for his hit on Claude Giroux. “We need more of that.’’

The Flyers’ power play went 1-for-1 and solidified its hold on No. 1 in the NHL at 24.8 percent.

Knuble’s goal in the first period came on a power play.

“Power play is execution and we practice it quite often,’’ coach Peter Laviolette said. “You have to give Mike a lot of credit for sitting so much (on the bench for eight games) and coming in and being an impact player. He did a lot of the grunt work in the offensive zone.’’

Stanley Cup statue unveiled

On Saturday morning, the Flyers unveiled a new statue to honor their Stanley Cup champions. It’s called “Walk Together Forever,’’ part of a message (“Win today and we walk together forever’’) coach Fred Shero wrote before Game 6 of the 1974 championship.

Depicted on the statue are Bob Clarke and Bernie Parent lifting the Cup.

On hand were team owner Ed Snider, current president Peter Luukko as well as former players Clarke, Parent, Bill Barber, Reggie Leach, Joe Watson, Don Saleski and Orest Kindrachuk.

“This is an exciting day for me,’’ Snider said. “We have a bunch of statues around this facility. We have Julius (Erving), we have Kate Smith, we have Dorney (Gary Dornhoefer), but this is probably going to be the most appropriate statue for me. It signifies winning the Cup.’’

Added Clarke: “Lifting the Cup is pretty easy. But winning it is extremely hard. Our families and the fans in Philadelphia were a huge part of us winning. On behalf of all the players, this statue represents the Stanley Cup champions.’’

Flyers tonight

What: Washington Capitals at Flyers

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Wells Fargo Center

TV/Radio: CSN/97.5-FM.

Season series: Tied 1-1.

What to watch: Capitals have come on of late and had climbed to within four points of eighth place in the Eastern Conference pending Saturday night action . . . After a tough start, Alexander Ovechkin was NHL’s No. 1 star last week . . . The Flyers will have new defenseman Kent Huskins (acquired in a trade with Detroit) available but coach Peter Laviolette usually sticks with the same lineup after a win . . . Flyers’ power play is No. 1 in the league mainly because it is now clicking at over 30 percent at home.

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